Crap, Crap, Crap! A good hour was spent creating a masterful blog the other day and when i went to spell check the thing it decided to delete itself...poo! Anyway sorry for the delay. i was so bummed that i could hardly bare to look at a comp until this very day.

I had no idea that i had not writtin on this thing for so long. It is so easy for me to get caught up in the moment of this travel situation. I will now attempt to recount the rest of my time in NZ and introduce you all to my new locale.

From the moment our drive began in the South Island we could all tell this place was different. Houses and development are few and very far between. This provides the thirsty traveler with serene scenery. Amazingly i remember quite clearly the many vineyards which dotted the landscape and the little 3 shop towns we drove through. We decided to travel down the west coast due to suggestion. Westport was our first stop. Feeling a bit ragged from our escapades in Wellington we hit the deck hard and rose in the morn to find a sunny sky and a perfect day for driving. South we set, winding our way through mountainous reserves and plush plots of land. We made our lunch at a true place of beauty. Not sure of the name, but the pristine nature of the spot is unforgettable. A lake stretched out in front of us and split a mountain range in the distance. Water is so cool in that sense beacause it has no rules or regards for anything in its way. Our bare feet felt the coolness of the earth through a pebble covered beach. Did i mention it is even colder here than the north island? A small dock shoots out over the water and looks quite lonesome and seldom used. J and i decided to take on this freezing cold lake of pure clear water. Video evidence will show that we sprinted to the end with fierce dedication. I broke the crisp surface and felt my entire body shocked into an unadulturated awarness of the life singing in my viens. Quickly back to the dock and stragiht into a towel, truly a neat experience in a distant place. The foliage that greeted us along both sides of every road seemed much more vivid for the rest of the day.

Although long, our drive landed us in Franz Joseph. Home of the fastest moving glacier in the world. As the sun decended behind the tree line rain began to fall and would not stop falling for any notable period of time for about two days. Determined to get on the glacier we looked into a hike and were told to show up when the weather permitted. On the 3rd day we did just that and the darn tour was booked. Being a crafty devil a had an alternate route planned out. A 7 hour hike would take up right up next to the glacier and we would get as close as we could without actually being on the chunk of ice. Hopes high and hiking gear in effect we set off to find the trail. CLOSED is how the trail sign read, but we were not going to let that stop us. Trekking off we enjoyed a reflection pool of the mountains and glacier. Plants a plenty lined the path like ancient protectors. We crossed a suspension bridge over the torrent deep gray glacial runoff. Falling into this water would be truly deadly. The bridge trembled under our combined weight and we could feel the fragility of our lives. 45 mins into the darn thing we hit another sign...CLOSED to the point. We were headed that way and since we made it this far with not a one prob we pushed on. Plentiful rains created countless streams over, under and through our path. Tiny waterfalls spoke with subtle beauty as the water lazily rushed to find its bigger brother at the bottom of the ravine. If a plant did not occupy a piece of land moss did! Every shade of green radiated from all around. Rocks were slippery and many close calls kept us savy to the trails many interesting twists and turns. I thought of Uncle Steve and Aunt Donna a lot while on the trail. Hi ya if your reading this. Every trail i have been on in the US has been pretty clear, safe and obvious. These three facts did not hold true to this particular trail. In fact it was as though this trail may not have been here a few weeks prior. We stepped through many falls and streams, doggy walked rocky outcroppings, slipped our way through wet foliage and hunted exposed roots to steady ourselves at every turn. After another 45 mins or so of hiking we discoved the routes closer. Stairs which had once clung to the side of a sheer cliff face had been eradicated by part of the cliff above. Without warning the cliff must have just gave up its hold on the rest of itself. Even after much discussion there was no way to pass. The trail continued at ground level on the other side however. Mission time we decided. We got as close to the river which at this point looked more like numerous veins as we could. Blazing a trail down to the dry river bed pieces was humbling. My mind drifted into the past when Native Americans and others around the world must have and still continue to blaze trails through dense vegetation just like this all the time. We hopped like frogs over the tiny streams often wetting our gear even further and made our way back onto the trail. Tedious hours later we reached the point and were immediately struck with amazement. Ice ascended into the heavens as far as the mountains precipice. Sun shone through the scattered clouds and rarefracted off the ice awakening its many beautiful colors. Craggs and crevices were huge and falls dotted the mountains on the south side of this huge cube. Massive rock slides stained parts of the pristine white with rubble. Little creates moved at a turtles pace along this sculpture of mother nature. Happy with our view and money saved we all carved our names into a lone picnic table. Our rubber legs and sore feet guided our stumble ever so uncertainly down the mountain. Straight back to hostel for food shower and warm up by the roaring fire in the properties bar. Back on the road, off to Queenstown.

Driving in the night i could feel myself longingly staring out the window at the blank canvas of night. So much beauty was out there staring back at me yet it would go unseen until daybreak. Bummed, but excited to reach the destination pushed us onward. Sleepies in our eyes and totally unaware of our landscape we arose to find the coolest little town. Mountains rose up on all sides of a pristine lake. One set of peaks was jagged to a point comparable to a stegasaurus. Little dabbs of snow lived on their last lflakes praying for the sun not to come out. We must have spent about 5 nights here due to the scenery and incredible night life. Our funky small hostel attracted many promoters from the various bars in town. Drink specials every nights and packed clubs and dance floors. People watching was the thing to do and we had plenty of it in the hustle bustle of this town. Located in the middle of nowhere the rest of the world kinda evaporated. Winter would bring snow and i could picture myself living here for a season, no problem. We would have stayed longer if not for our flights. Christchurch here we come.

A giant city was all Christchurch really was. Dissapointed we left ourselves time to experience this place we gritted it out. Prepping the car to be returned was fun and entailed all of the following:

hand wash, vacum, polishing and buffing of roof provided by bribbed car wash employees (the roof was bad b/c of my board bag), superglue of antenna on roof which had been broke by board bag, superglue of a piece of panneling on inside of trunk which broke somehow. We were all positive that somewhere in between the e brake pulls on dirt roads and beaches broke something, but the return was smooth and without incident. What a reliable and fun asset that blue nissian beauty was to our travels.

Australia!

Made it. To Brisbane flew my plane and i was harassed by the customs peeps cause i had no accomodation booked. After looking through all my stuff i caught a train into the city. I was lucky the dude at the hostel was a surfer cause availability was only one night, but he extedned it for me. 3 nights here was plenty. Too much city too little nature, escpecially after NZ. A botanical garden was my only solice. Got reading done and watched cricket, a rather boring sport.

Surfers paradise came next. I did not picture to be a grouping of 100's of sky rises all the way to the waters edge, but it was. My hostel was a bit sketchy and was not up to the standards i had enjoyed in NZ. Luckily just as i arrived 2 German guys were going surfing and they had a car. Had a good sess at a super crowded spot and it reminded me of the crowds in SD during summer. Nights were fun and the hostel hosted trips out to the city and i had some fun. Surfed every day with the Germans and made the most of it. Everyone i spoke to told me about Byron Bay so i got a seat on a bus down here.

Here i sit on this comp in Byron bay my total stay here has been about 3 weeks. I bought a tent and have been camping for about 2. Staying at the Arts Factory is like being lost in a cloud. Tucked away outside the city in the middle of a jungle it is mostly inhabited by people of imagination and alternative lifestyles. My time is spent much like a record plays. Sleep, eat, surf, beach, read, eat, volleyball, trek through the jungle, ping pong, eat, maybe go out, and chat with friends. Each day is much like this intinerary. Everyone is so friendly and no one is a stranger especially between some in the camp site who have been here for months on end. You fall into a time warp here, everything is so easy and mellow. I have made some close friends and met people who truly brightened my traveling experience. You may think i would have more to say about 3 weeks of time, but i really don't.

i am now quite exhausted from typing. i truly hope you all enjoyed this one. i will be much more on top of this site in the future.

Christmas is here and i have a very short list. $$$$. Funds are evaporating from my bank account like water in the Gobi desert at the hight of summer. If you think i have been a good boy and could help me out on my trip fund that would be so AWESOME!!! My dad has promised to put anything you send him into my account so i can stay travelling. Thank you so much!

In case your not sure of address:

Russ Harrison
1913 Americana Ct.
Modesto, CA 95357

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU ALL!

Much love and peace, Chris

Here are some photos hopefully:

NZ, Raglan


NZ, Cathedral Point... i think


Fiji, Bounty Island with Englanders Danny on left and John on right


Fiji, Sunset at Coconut Bay, can you find me?